RAGBRAI announces the full route for the 51st ride across the state

DES MOINES — RAGBRAI has announced the full route for the 51st ride across the state.

Thirty-five communities make up the pass-through and meeting towns on this year’s route. They join the eight overnight towns that were announced in January. The communities will host riders en route to their final destinations each day.

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“I’m excited for this year’s full route,” RAGBRAI Ride Director Matt Phippen said. “It combines iconic views of Iowa with communities that have proved they can provide world class hospitality and experience for the riders.”

Phippen said gravel options have been extended from one day to seven days in 2024. Connected to the road routes, the gravel options range from 2- to 14.5-mile sections, and total 53 miles for the week. Riders will experience all grades of gravel, epic rollers and climbs, and pass by the historic Holliwell Covered Bridge in Winterset, Chief Wapello’s Gravesite and Memorial Park in Agency and endless breathtaking views.

“We moved from a one-day option to a seven-day option to showcase all the great gravel that Iowa has to offer,” Phippen said. “I love gravel and think this year provides more scenic views and ways to ride gravel that I’m excited for riders to experience.”

The southern route is roughly 434 miles and 18,375 feet of climb. That makes it the eighth shortest and hilliest route on record. An anticipated 20,000-plus registered riders, with participants from all 50 states and over 17 international locations are expected this year.

Registration is open through May 15 at RAGBRAI.com/ragbrai-li-registration. Day by day details and important dates are listed below.

Day-by-Day Details:

Day 0: Glenwood RAGBRAI Expo

Saturday, July 20

Location: Downtown Glenwood

Time: 12-9 p.m.

Day 1: Glenwood to Red Oak

Sunday, July 21

THEME DAY: Tire Dip, Mile of Silence, Gravel

MILEAGE: 41.9 miles

ELEVATION: 2,435 ft.

Gravel Option: 7.6 miles, 638 ft elevation

Route: Glenwood * Silver City * Henderson — Meeting Town * Emerson * Red Oak

Day 2: Red Oak to Atlantic

Monday, July 22

THEME DAY: Hometown Pride Jersey Day, Gravel

MILEAGE: 40.7 miles

ELEVATION: 1,702 ft

Gravel Option: 3.7 miles, 250 ft elevation

Route: Red Oak * Elliott * Griswold — Meeting Town * Lewis * Atlantic

Day 3: Atlantic to Winterset

Tuesday, July 23

THEME DAY: College Jersey Day, Gravel

MILEAGE: 82 miles

ELEVATION: 4,519 ft.

Gravel Option: 4.5 miles, 339 ft elevation

Route: Atlantic * Wiota * Cumberland * Massena * Fontanelle * Greenfield — Meeting Town * Orient *Macksburg * Winterset

Day 4: Winterset to Knoxville

Wednesday, July 24

THEME DAY: RAGBRAI Jersey Day, Gravel

MILEAGE: 75 miles

ELEVATION: 3,041 ft.

Gravel Option: 9.5 miles, 708 ft elevation

Route: Winterset * St. Charles * St. Marys * Indianola — Meeting Town * Milo * Lacona * Melcher-Dallas * Knoxville

Day 5: Knoxville to Ottumwa

Thursday, July 25

THEME DAY: I Ride 4 Day, Gravel

MILEAGE: 62.9 miles

ELEVATION: 2,502 ft.

Gravel Option: 4.6 miles, 223 ft elevation

Route: Knoxville * Attica * Lovilia * Albia — Meeting Town * Eddyville * Chillicothe * Ottumwa

Day 6: Ottumwa to Mt. Pleasant

Friday, July 26

THEME DAY: Karras “Century” Loop, Mr. Porkchop Jr. Day, Gravel

MILEAGE: 84.8 miles

ELEVATION: 3,160 ft.

Gravel Option: 8.4 miles, 218 ft elevation

Route: Ottumwa * Agency * Eldon * Selma * Libertyville * Fairfield — Meeting Town * Pleasant Plain * Brighton * Wayland * Trenton * Mt. Pleasant

Day 7: Mt. Pleasant to Burlington

Saturday, July 27

THEME DAY: Tire Dip

MILEAGE: 46.5 miles

ELEVATION: 1,016 ft

Gravel Option: 14.5 miles, 295 ft elevation

Route: Mt. Pleasant * Mediapolis * Kingston * Burlington

ADDITIONAL IMPORTANT DATES:

• Registration price increase on April 15, 2024

• Registration closes on May 15, 2024

• RAGBRAI L Pre-Ride June 1-8, 2024

REGISTER for RAGBRAI

• Weeklong rider registration ($200/$225/$250) is closes May 15.

• Daily wristband registration ($45/$50 per day) is closes May 15.

• Weeklong nonrider registration ($40/$45/$50) is closes May 15.

• Additional information about RAGBRAI can be found at ragbrai.com/about/general-information

• Specific questions can be addressed to info@ragbrai.com.

• Information about registration can be found at https://ragbrai.com/ragbrai-li-registration

ABOUT RAGBRAI

RAGBRAI is the oldest, largest, and longest recreational touring bicycle ride in the world. Started in 1973 by Des Moines Register reporters John Karras and Donald Kaul, RAGBRAI is a seven-day bicycle tour that goes from the Missouri River to the Mississippi River with stops in overnight towns along the way.

RAGBRAI Gives

RAGBRAI Gives, established in 2020, is RAGBRAI’s annual commitment to give back to the towns that host the ride. This year RAGBRAI Gives will provide $705,000 in financial support to all communities and counties that host. Overnight towns receive $50,000; Meeting towns receive $10,000; Pass Thru towns and counties receive $5,000.